Cessna airplane makes hard landing in Valrico cow pasture

Valrico, Florida -- A small plane made a hard landing in a cow pasture Friday afternoon.

The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office says the aircraft, a 1981 Cessna 182, experienced mechanical problems shortly after taking off from Peter O. Knight Airport and went down at around 4 p.m. near the intersection of Dew Bloom Road and Beverly Boulevard in Valrico.

Officials say the single engine aircraft is owned by the pilot John Murray.

The pilot and an adult passenger were not injured.

The plane was destined for Miami. The FAA and NTSB are conducting an investigation and will assist in removing the aircraft.